FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oysters, clams, mussels and mud--Oh my!

Mud runners take off!

Contact:
Kate McDermott, 425-501-0709 kmulch@olympus.net

Sian Wu, 206-701-4734 sian@resource-media.org

 
WHAT: The Bivalve Bash, an annual seafood fest at Samish Bay, celebrates the bivalve traditions of the Northwest, and draws attention to the clean up of Puget Sound, through educational and kids’ activities, food, drink, music, dancing and contests. Northwest chefs and community members will spotlight local oysters, clams, mussels and more. Visitors can watch or take part in the popular 250 Yard Low Tide Mud Run or dance with the Mud Monster, the popular mascot for the Puget Sound cleanup effort. The Bivalve Bash will also feature crab races, the Oyster Shell Sculpture Contest, oyster shuffleboard and shell painting and crafts by the Mt. Vernon cheerleaders.

WHO:  Taylor Shellfish Farms, Skagit Conservation Education Alliance (SCEA), MudUp: Get Dirty for the Sound and the mascot of the Puget Sound cleanup effort, the Mud Monster. About 1200 people attend this event annually.
 
WHEN: Saturday, July 19, 2008 Click here for a full schedule of events, go to
 
WHERE: Taylor Shellfish Farms, Chuckanut Drive, Bow, Wash. Follow signs on Chuckanut Drive to free offsite parking. Free shuttle bus service to festival site. Click for map.
 
WHY: The event is a fundraiser for the community clean water awareness programs of the Skagit Conservation Education Alliance (SCEA), and will also help advance the MudUp campaign to clean up and restore the water and shorelines of Puget Sound.
 
COST: $5.00, Kids and Mud Runners free. Food and drink prices vary. Advance tickets available at Haggen and the Taylor Shellfish Samish store.
 
FARE: Oysters on the half shell by Taylor Shellfish, steamed clams by the Rhododendron Café, curried mussels by Xinh’s Clam and Oyster House in Shelton (winner, 2005 Seattle Times Best Bite), BBQ oysters by the Chuckanut Manor, BBQ salmon dinner by the Samish Nation and Skagit Raspberry Shortcake by Anthony’s HomePort and Mike & Jean’s Berries. The Beer Garden features local brews by La Conner Brewing Company and wines by Geyser Peak. Non-alcoholic beverages can be purchased from the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group.
 
Note: Daytime bicycle parking only at the Taylor Shellfish Farm festival site. For free daytime festival car parking, follow the signs going north and south on Chuckanut Drive. Buses (including one with handicapped capability) will leave every 20-30 minutes. Sorry, no pets or coolers at the festival site. For a complete list of festival activities, schedule of events and menu go to www.bivalvebash.com.

To download a press kit on the MudUp campaign, go to http://www.MudUp.org/press-room.

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